As the Former North Carolina Senator Prepares His Exit, Rep. Maxine Waters  (D-Calif.) Plans to endorse Hillary Clinton

 By Pamela Gentry, Senior Politcal Producer 

Posted Jan. 30, 2008 – It looks like the Dems are down to two frontrunners in the race for the White House as former North Carolina senator John Edwards will announce his departure from the race this afternoon.

Edwards had originally scheduled a speech on poverty from New Orleans , but will now use the event to tell his supporters and America he is leaving the contest.

Now the big question remains: which remaining candidate will Edwards throw his support behind.   He’s managed to snag a few delegates in the early states, but no victories.   

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will now be facing off Super Tuesday without the Edwards factor.  Both candidates will continue a full court press for endorsements over the weekend, hoping to ramp up support in the 22 primary states.

Rep. Maxine Water (D-Calif.) is also on tap to endorse Clinton today.  Her support could give Clinton a boost with African-Americans in California.  Clinton is trying to rebound from the loss of the Black vote in the South Carolina primary.  

Following the Republican primary in Florida, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani is also planning  to announce he’ll be leaving the race.  He plans to give his endorsement to Arizona Sen. John McCain.
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